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The place where the world comes together in honesty and mirth.
Windmills Tilted, Scared Cows Butchered, Lies Skewered on the Lance of Reality ... or something to that effect.


Thursday, April 15, 2010

The Daily Drift

The Daily Drift
Today's horoscope says:
Taking part in the gossip factory and building to the buzz of the day has never really been your style -- and that's a good thing, of course!
It keeps you honest and makes it easy for others to genuinely trust you.
Today, though, there just might be a nugget of truth behind what you're hearing.
Not that you should get involved in the machinations behind the gossip -- but it might be worth considering a battle plan if the truth turns out to be more than just a nugget.
Some of our readers today have been in:
Chatswood, New South Wales, Australia
Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
Bremen, Bremen, Germany
Paris, Ile-De-France, France
Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam
Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
London, England, United Kingdom
New Delhi, Delhi, India
Stuttgart, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
Karlskrona, Blekinge, Sweden
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Moscow, Moskva, Russia
Griesheim, Hessen, Germany

as well as Scotland, Egypt, and the United States in such cities as Mission Viejo, Midlothian, Tulsa,
La Crosse, Boynton Beach and more

Today is Thursday, April 15, the 105th day of 2010.
There are 260 days left in the year.

Today's unusual holidays and celebrations are:
Take A Wild Guess Day
and
That Sucks Day

And for our readers in the United States you have until midnight to get those taxes into the Post Office

As The World Turns

As The World Turns

Massive quake rattles western China

Hundreds are dead and thousands are injured after temblors as strong as magnitude 6.9 strike.
Also: 

800 Evacuated as IcelandVolcano Erupts

Icelandic authorities evacuated about 800 people early Wednesday when a volcano erupted beneath the Eyjafjallajokull glacier, an emergency spokesman said.

Cyclone Kills 31 People In Eastern India

Police say a cyclone demolished thousands of mud huts and uprooted trees in several villages in eastern India, killing at least 56 people.

Argentina criminals 'evade capture by dressing up as sheep'

Maximiliano Pereyra and Ariel Diaz, who were jailed for robbery offences, dressed up as the animals after escaping from a maximum security jail in Argentina more than a week ago. Pereyra, 25, and Diaz, 28, dressed in full sheepskin fleeces with realistic looking heads as they tried to evade capture.

They had stolen the sheep hides from a local ranch, it was claimed. They used their disguises to fool officials for more than a week despite more than 300 members of the local constabulary searching for them.


The local police have been left embarrassed by the episode after locals reported seeing the pair running through local fields at night. "They were wearing gray clothes but had full sheepskins, including the sheeps' heads, over their heads and backs,” said a farm worker at La Almeda.

Police sources said it appeared that identifying the pair among thousands of other sheep was "almost impossible". "They can't pull the wool over our eyes forever,” one officer deadpanned.

The State Of The Nation

The State Of The Nation
Bar manager cuts man's nose off with sword
An Oklahoma City man has his nose cut off during a bizarre attack at a local bar. Police say the manager of a small bar near Northwest 10th and Rockwell attacked several customers with a sword. The suspect, Adan Zapata, is charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Police say Zapata thought the victim and his friends were making too much noise.

Zapata supposedly got mad, grabbed the 34-inch sword, chased the men outside and slashed one man in the face. One witness thinks the victim is lucky to be alive.

"He was scared. He cried, 'Oh my nose, he cut my nose,'" says Israel Ramos. "This individual was seriously injured. He was slashed on the shoulder, hand and on his face," said MSgt. Gary Knight.

His friend says doctors have used pieces of skin from his ear and forehead to try and fashion a new nose. In addition to the assault charge, Zapata faces a lesser citation for destroying private property.

Local Hospitality

Local Hospitality
A North Carolina man traveled about 50 miles across the state during his trip in a chair attached to about 40 helium balloons.

Sheriff aims to shut down adult video store Because of Alleged Brothel Business
Driving in to Darlington county
Me and Wayne on the fourth of July
Driving in to Darlington county
Looking for some work on the county line
...Bruce Springsteen

The Darlington County South Carolina Sheriff wants to shut down an adult video store, but not because of its racy videos.

Sheriff Wayne Byrd [pictured] says the video business is a front for what really goes on at Foxxy Lady. Sheriff Byrd says prostitution is a problem at the South Main Street business.

Deputies raided Foxxy Lady three times in the past 18 months, including one raid last week. They arrested the owner for operating a brothel and his employee on prostitution charges.

Sheriff Byrd says they've had complaints and arrests at the business about drugs and prostitution since 2005. The sheriff plans to file a civil action against Foxxy Lady as a public nuisance, to permanently shut it down. "It gives a bad image to the county. It's on a major highway into the county, one of the major gateways into Darlington County, and it just doesn't give a good public opinion or public view of what's going on in our county."

The public nuisance process is lengthy because of the the documentation and paper work involved. The process would be easier if Darlington County had a county wide business license system because the store's license could be revoked on grounds of inappropriate behavior.

The owner of Foxxy Lady, Victor Balin, says he was unfairly arrested last week and his business is being unfairly targeted by the Darlington County Sheriff's Office.

Balin says he will release a more detailed statement through his attorney this week.

Are we having more earthquakes?

Are we having more earthquakes?

The recent spate of earthquakes worldwide has prompted concerns and questions. 
Also: 

American Pie

 
A long, long time ago...
I can still remember
How that music used to make me smile.
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And, maybe, they’d be happy for a while.

But february made me shiver
With every paper I’d deliver.
Bad news on the doorstep;
I couldn’t take one more step.

I can’t remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride,
But something touched me deep inside
The day the music died.

So bye-bye, miss american pie.
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
And them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die.
"this’ll be the day that I die."

Did you write the book of love,
And do you have faith in God above,
If the Bible tells you so?
Do you believe in rock ’n roll,
Can music save your mortal soul,
And can you teach me how to dance real slow?

Well, I know that you’re in love with him
`cause I saw you dancin’ in the gym.
You both kicked off your shoes.
Man, I dig those rhythm and blues.

I was a lonely teenage broncin’ buck
With a pink carnation and a pickup truck,
But I knew I was out of luck
The day the music died.

I started singin’,
"bye-bye, miss american pie."
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
Them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
And singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die.
"this’ll be the day that I die."

Now for ten years we’ve been on our own
And moss grows fat on a rollin’ stone,
But that’s not how it used to be.
When the jester sang for the king and queen,
In a coat he borrowed from james dean
And a voice that came from you and me,

Oh, and while the king was looking down,
The jester stole his thorny crown.
The courtroom was adjourned;
No verdict was returned.
And while lennon read a book of marx,
The quartet practiced in the park,
And we sang dirges in the dark
The day the music died.

We were singing,
"bye-bye, miss american pie."
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
Them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
And singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die.
"this’ll be the day that I die."

Helter skelter in a summer swelter.
The birds flew off with a fallout shelter,
Eight miles high and falling fast.
It landed foul on the grass.
The players tried for a forward pass,
With the jester on the sidelines in a cast.

Now the half-time air was sweet perfume
While the sergeants played a marching tune.
We all got up to dance,
Oh, but we never got the chance!
`cause the players tried to take the field;
The marching band refused to yield.
Do you recall what was revealed
The day the music died?

We started singing,
"bye-bye, miss american pie."
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
Them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
And singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die.
"this’ll be the day that I die."

Oh, and there we were all in one place,
A generation lost in space
With no time left to start again.
So come on: jack be nimble, jack be quick!
Jack flash sat on a candlestick
Cause fire is the devil’s only friend.

Oh, and as I watched him on the stage
My hands were clenched in fists of rage.
No angel born in hell
Could break that satan’s spell.
And as the flames climbed high into the night
To light the sacrificial rite,
I saw satan laughing with delight
The day the music died

He was singing,
"bye-bye, miss american pie."
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
Them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
And singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die.
"this’ll be the day that I die."

I met a girl who sang the blues
And I asked her for some happy news,
But she just smiled and turned away.
I went down to the sacred store
Where I’d heard the music years before,
But the man there said the music wouldn’t play.

And in the streets: the children screamed,
The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed.
But not a word was spoken;
The church bells all were broken.
And the three men I admire most:
The father, son, and the holy ghost,
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the music died.

And they were singing,
"bye-bye, miss american pie."
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
And them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die.
"this’ll be the day that I die."

They were singing,
"bye-bye, miss american pie."
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
Them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die.

'Birth tourism' rates on the rise

'Birth tourism' rates on the rise

A growing number of foreign tourists visit the U.S. just to give birth to a citizen.  
Also:

Man fights for daughter he's never met

Man fights for daughter he's never met

John Wyatt was awarded custody of his newborn daughter Emma, but so was a Utah couple.  
Also: 

Song Lyrics

Quando paramucho mi amore defelice corazon
Mundo pararazzi mi amore chicka ferdy parasol
Cuesto obrigado tanta mucho que can eat it carousel.
Can you guess which song these lyrics are from? And which band released it in what year?

Abbey Road

Abbey Road

Viacom's Legal Attack on YouTube Threatens Online Speech and Innovation

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and other nonprofit groups asked a federal judge Monday to reject expansive copyright claims made in lawsuits pending against YouTube. The amicus brief argues that the plaintiffs in those lawsuits are pushing for legal rulings that would undermine federal law and throttle free speech and innovation on the Internet.

Viacom and a variety of class action plaintiffs are suing YouTube, claiming that the online video service is liable for copyright infringements committed by its users. YouTube has responded by arguing that its activities are shielded by the "safe harbor" provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), which give legal protections to online service providers that host content on behalf of users.

Despite the DMCA, the plaintiffs have claimed that YouTube should be held responsible for infringements that occurred before May 2008, when the site voluntarily implemented content filtering technologies. In effect, the plaintiffs have urged the court to make content filtering mandatory for all online service providers that host content on behalf of users. In the amicus brief filed Monday, EFF -- joined by the American Library Association, Association of College and Research Libraries, Association of Research Libraries, Center For Democracy and Technology, Computer and Communications Industry Association, Home Recording Rights Coalition, Internet Archive, Netcoalition, and Public Knowledge -- argues that Viacom's theory would rewrite federal law and thwart Congress' goal of reducing the legal uncertainties facing companies trying to innovate on the Internet.

"This case is not just about YouTube," said EFF Senior Staff Attorney Fred von Lohmann. "Nearly every online service that fosters free expression and commerce online -- like the Internet Archive, Blogger, Facebook, eBay, Amazon, Flickr, and Scribd -- depends on the very same DMCA safe harbors that YouTube is relying on here. Viacom is trying to undo the law that Congress designed to provide a modicum of legal certainty for those who build these innovative online services."

The cases against YouTube are pending in federal court in the Southern District of New York. Additional briefs will be filed by the parties on April 30 and June 4. A hearing and decision will follow.

Just who do you think he meant

                                              

Gosh, I can't imagine who President Medvedev could have been talking  about here, can you? At about 2 minutes in, George Stephanopoulis asks  this question:

STEPHANOPOULOS: You've now met with President Obama many times. At least  15 meetings and phone calls.
MEDVEDEV: Sixteen times.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Sixteen. Okay, I knew it was 15. I wasn't sure about  the 16. What do you make of Barack Obama the man?
MEDVEDEV: He's very comfortable partner, it's very interesting to be  with him. The most important thing that distinguishes him from  many other people – I won't name anyone by name – he's a thinker, he  thinks when he speaks. Which is already pretty good.
STEPHANOPOULOS: You had somebody in your mind, I think. (LAUGHS)
MEDVEDEV: Obviously I do have someone on my mind. I don't  want to offend anyone. He's eager to listen to his partner,  which is a pretty good quality for a politician. Because any politician  is to a certain degree a mentor. They preach something. And the ability  to listen to their partner is very important for the politician. And he  is pretty deeply emerged in the subject, so he has a good knowledge of  what he's talking about. There was no instance in our meetings with Mr.  Obama where he wasn't well prepared for the questions. This is very  good. And after all, he's simply a very pleasant man with whom it's a  pleasure to deal with.

Who could President Medvedev have been talking about? Who could it  be, who could it be...(written with my very best Church Lady voice)?
Surely not George W. Bush, that deep thinker?

Britain holds 1st televised election debates

Britain is holding its first U.S.-styled televised political debates - and bookies are taking bets on who will sweat or stumble first. 
This aught to be interesting ... very, very interesting.

A blessing in disguise for Democrats?

A blessing in disguise for Democrats?

Rookie repugican Scott Brown's early voting record has stung his backers.  
Also: 

Democrat Wins First U.S. House Race Since Health Care Overhaul

Democratic state Sen. Ted Deutch has handily won the first U.S. House race since Congress passed President Barack Obama's massive health care overhaul.
Hey wait a minute - I thought that wasn't supposed to happen - To hear all the screeching from the wingnuts - such an event would never happen again - Oops, it looks like they were wrong again.
But as everyone (with a brain knows) "the right" is never right.

Incredible views worth the hike

9 incredible views worth the hike

The trails are tough, but the payoffs – from waterfalls to peaks – are priceless.  
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Talking Heads

Now that's funny

It's The Economy Stupid

It's The Economy Stupid

Big reasons why 'America is back'

The economy is staging a "remarkable" comeback that's surprising naysayers.  
Also: 

Lucky few get big mortgage reductions

When servicers take over a mortgage, they can dramatically reduce the balance.
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Tips to reduce your credit-card debt

Use these eight steps to get out from under high balances as quickly as possible. 
Also: 

Tax credit confuses millions

Tax credit confuses millions

The IRS says a stimulus tax credit has led to errors on more than four million returns already.  
Also: 

Americans paying less taxes this year despite Tax Day rhetoric

You wouldn't know it by the Tax Day rhetoric, but Americans are paying lower taxes this year, even with increases passed by many states to balance their budgets.

How to fight the IRS — and win

How to fight the IRS — and win

One woman was told she owed nearly $16,000, but the IRS wrote her a check in the end. 
Also: 

How to file for a tax extension

How to file for a tax extension

You don't even need an excuse to get another six months to finish your tax return.  
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Where to find free treats on tax day

Where to find free treats on tax day

Starbucks, IHOP, and Cinnabon are just a few of the spots trying to ease the pain for taxpayers on Thursday. Giveaways 
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Riders On The Storm

The Doors

In Matters Of Health

In Matters Of Health

7 'healthy' foods that will trick you

The packaging may tout health benefits, but the food contains real risks to your diet.  
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America, home of the overweight?

America, home of the overweight?

Many believe Americans are fatter than people in other countries, but one "Top Chef" disagrees.
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Animal eating itself into extinction

Animal eating itself into extinction

Scientists train a group of marsupials to stop feasting on a tempting but toxic toad.  
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Are frequent password changes useless?

Are frequent password changes useless?

A common, annoying computer security tip is really a waste of time, a new study finds.  
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Space Weather

promin.jpg Space Weather reports that one of the largest solar prominences in years erupted from the sun's northwestern limb yesterday, April 13. "The massive plasma-filled structure rose up and burst during a ~2 hour period around 0900 UT on April 13th." Observers in Europe had the best view, and this photo was shot by Jo Dahlmans of Ulestraten, Netherlands, using his Coronado Personal Solar Telescope. "The eruption hurled a bright coronal mass ejection (CME, movie) into space. The expanding cloud could deliver a glancing blow to Earth's magnetic field around April 15th. NOAA forecasters estimate a 35% chance of polar geomagnetic activity when the CME arrives."

In-a-Gadda-da-Vida

Iron Butterfly

Bottle's long journey, unlikely discovery

Bottle's long journey, unlikely discovery

A simple message is sent from mainland China and washes up on an Australian shore.  
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Last U.S. sardine cans being packed

Last U.S. sardine cans being packed

The once-popular fish will no longer be canned in the United States after this week.
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Odds and Sods

Odds and Sods
In Cop News








Drunk Horseman Rides Into Crowd On Mule Day

A Middle Tennessee horseback rider was jailed after being charged with running into a crowd of people at the Mule Day festivities in Columbia.
A suburban Dallas man must serve 15 days in jail after admitting to stuffing a lead weight into a bass he caught during a fishing tournament.